Elevator apparatus drive unit, elevator apparatus, elevator apparatus installation method, and elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method

ABSTRACT

In an elevator apparatus, a cover body is disposed on an opening portion of a top portion of a hoistway. A driving machine for raising and lowering a car and a counterweight is supported by the cover body. The driving machine has: a driving machine main body; and a drive sheave rotated by the driving machine main body. A main rope is wound around the drive sheave. The car and the counterweight are suspended inside the hoistway by the main rope.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an elevator apparatus in which at leasta portion of hoistway equipment such as a driving machine, for example,is disposed in an upper portion of a hoistway.

BACKGROUND ART

In conventional elevator apparatuses such as that shown in JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 2000-255933 (Gazette), for example, a hoistingmachine for raising and lowering a car is installed on a ceiling of ahoistway. After receiving notification from a building contractor to theeffect that the hoistway has been built inside a building, the hoistingmachine is carried into the hoistway by an elevator contractor, andfixed to the ceiling of the hoistway. Consequently, construction timefor elevator apparatus installation work is protracted.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to solve the above problems and an object ofthe present invention is to provide an elevator apparatus, an elevatorapparatus drive unit, an elevator apparatus installation method, and anelevator apparatus maintenance inspection method enabling installationwork time to be shortened.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize internal hoistwayspace effectively when an elevator apparatus unit is disposed in a topportion of a hoistway.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided an elevator apparatus drive unitincluding: a cover body disposed on an opening portion of a top portionof a hoistway; and a driving machine having a drive sheave around whichis wound a main rope for suspending a car and a counterweight, and adriving machine main body for rotating the drive sheave, the drivingmachine being supported by the cover body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan elevator apparatus including: a cover body disposed on an openingportion of a top portion of a hoistway; a driving machine having adriving machine main body, and a drive sheave rotated by the drivingmachine main body, the driving machine being supported by the coverbody; a main rope wound around the drive sheave; and a car and acounterweight suspended inside the hoistway by the main rope and raisedand lowered by a driving force from the driving machine.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an elevator apparatus including: a hoisted body raised andlowered inside a hoistway that includes an opening portion disposed on aroof portion of a building main body; a supporting frame disposed in anupper portion of the hoistway; and hoistway equipment disposed on thesupporting frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan elevator apparatus installation method including: a carrying-in andinstalling process in which a supporting frame is carried inside ahoistway through an opening portion disposed at a top portion of thehoistway from above the opening portion and installed in an upperportion inside the hoistway; and an equipment mounting process in whichhoistway equipment is mounted to the supporting frame.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method including aprocess in which maintenance inspection work on hoistway equipment isperformed inside a hoistway from below a supporting frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method including: a processin which hoistway equipment is removed from a supporting frame inside ahoistway; and a process in which maintenance inspection work isperformed on the hoistway equipment.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method including aprocess in which maintenance inspection work on hoistway equipment isperformed from above a roof portion through an opening portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan showing internal portions of a hoistway of an elevatorapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the elevator apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan showing a state partway through installation of theelevator apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus according toEmbodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlargement showing part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 9 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 10 of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a plan showing internal portions of a hoistway of an elevatorapparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation showing the elevator apparatus in FIG. 15;and

FIG. 17 is a plan showing a state partway through installation of theelevator apparatus in FIG. 15.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explainedwith reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a plan showing internal portions of a hoistway of an elevatorapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2is a side elevation showing the elevator apparatus in FIG. 1.

In the figures, a hoistway 2 is disposed in a building main body 1. Thehoistway 2 includes an opening portion 3 a disposed on a roof portion 3of the building main body 1. Specifically, the opening portion 3 a ispositioned at a top portion of the hoistway 2 as a portion of thehoistway 2. In this example, a width dimension and a depth dimension ofthe opening portion 3 a are equal to a width dimension and a depthdimension of the hoistway 2. In other words, an aperture surface area ofthe opening portion 3 a is equal to a horizontal cross-sectional area ofthe hoistway 2.

A pair of car guide rails 4 and a pair of counterweight guide rails 5are installed inside the hoistway 2. A car 6 constituting a hoisted bodyis guided by the car guide rails 4 so as to be raised and lowered insidethe hoistway 2. A counterweight 7 constituting a hoisted body is guidedby the counterweight guide rails 5 so as to be raised and lowered insidethe hoistway 2.

A pair of car doors 8 for opening and closing a car entrance aredisposed on a front surface of the car 6. A pair of landing doors 10operating together with the car doors 8 to open and close a landingentrance 9 are disposed on the landing entrance 9. The car 6 is disposedinside the opening portion 3 a when viewed from above.

A pair of structural beams 11 are fixed to an upper portion of thebuilding main body 1. The structural beams 11 are positioned in an upperportion inside the hoistway 2. A supporting frame 12 (not shown inFIG. 1) is fixed onto the structural beams 11. A plurality of beamfixing portions for fixing the supporting frame 12 to the structuralbeams 11 are disposed on the supporting frame 12. Frame fixing portionsfor fixing the supporting frame 12 are also disposed on the structuralbeams 11.

A driving machine 13 functioning as hoistway equipment for raising andlowering the car 6 and the counterweight 7 is mounted onto thesupporting frame 12. A driving machine mounting portion (mounting seat)12 a for mounting the driving machine 13 is disposed on the supportingframe 12.

Eighty percent or more of the driving machine 13 (100 percent in FIG. 1)overlaps with the car 6 when viewed from above. In other words, thedriving machine 13 is disposed directly above the car 6. The drivingmachine 13 also has: a driving machine main body 14 including a motorand a brake; and a drive sheave 15 rotated by the driving machine mainbody 14. In this example, the drive sheave 15 is disposed above thedriving machine main body 14.

In addition, the driving machine 13 is disposed horizontally (includinggenerally horizontally) such that a rotating shaft of the drive sheave15 is vertical (including generally vertical). Furthermore, a thinhoisting machine having an axial dimension that is less than a radialdimension of the drive sheave 15 or a radial dimension of the drivingmachine main body 14 is used for the driving machine 13. In this examplein particular, a ratio between an axial dimension of the driving machine13 and an external dimension in a direction perpendicular to the axialdirection is between 1:2 and 1:6. The drive sheave 15 is driven directlyby the motor of the driving machine main body 14 without a speedreducing mechanism.

A main rope group 16 for suspending the car 6 and the counterweight 7inside the hoistway 2 is wound around the drive sheave 15. The main ropegroup 16 includes: a plurality of first main ropes 17 (only one is shownin the figures); and a plurality of second main ropes 18 (only one isshown in the figures).

The car 5 and the counterweight 7 are suspended by the main rope group16 using a one-to-one (1:1) roping method.

A first rope connecting portion 19 to which the first main ropes 17 areconnected is disposed on a lower portion of a first side portion in awidth direction of the car 6. A second rope connecting portion 20 towhich the second main ropes 18 are connected is disposed on a lowerportion of a second side portion in a width direction of the car 6. Thefirst and second rope connecting portions 19 and 20 are disposedsymmetrically on opposite sides of a center of gravity C of the car 6from each other or a vicinity thereof when viewed from above. In otherwords, the car 6 is suspended substantially at its center of gravity ora vicinity thereof.

The first main ropes 17 have: first end portions 17 a connected to thefirst rope connecting portion 19; and second end portions 17 b connectedto an upper portion of the counterweight 7. The second main ropes 18have: third end portions 18 a connected to the second rope connectingportion 20; and fourth end portions 18 b connected to an upper portionof the counterweight 7.

A first pulley 21 for directing the first main ropes 17 to the firstrope connecting portion 19, a second pulley 22 for directing the secondmain ropes 18 to the second rope connecting portion 20, a third pulley23 for directing the first and second main ropes 17 and 18 to thecounterweight 7, and a deflection pulley 24 for directing the first mainropes 17 extending from the drive sheave 15 to the first pulley 21 aremounted onto the supporting frame 12. The first through third pulleys 21through 23 and the deflection pulley 24 constitute hoistway equipment.The first pulley 21 is disposed nearer to the landing door 10 than thecar guide rails 4. The second pulley 22 is disposed nearer to thecounterweight 7 than the car guide rails 4.

The first through third pulleys 21 through 23 are disposed such thatrotating shafts thereof are horizontal. The deflection pulley 24 isdisposed such that a rotating shaft thereof is vertical (includinggenerally vertical).

The driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 are unitized bybeing mounted to the shared supporting frame 12. Specifically, a driveunit 26 according to Embodiment 1 includes the supporting frame 12, thedriving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24. Furthermore, in thisexample, the drive unit 26 is generally disposed entirely inside theopening portion 3 a.

A cover 25 for closing the opening portion 3 a is fixed onto the roofportion 3. A seal portion 25 a for preventing penetration of water intothe opening portion 3 a, and a plurality of suspending hooks (grippingportions) 25 b to which a lifting apparatus (such as a crane apparatus,for example) for lifting the cover 25 can be coupled are disposed on thecover 25. Similar suspending hooks or suspending wire connectingportions are also disposed on the supporting frame 12. The cover 25 canalso be constituted by a transparent material.

Next, an installation method will be explained. FIG. 3 is a plan showinga state partway through installation of the elevator apparatus inFIG. 1. In the figure, the drive unit 26 is passed through the openingportion 3 a, carried into the hoistway 2 from above the opening portion3 a, and fixed onto the structural beams 11. In other words, mounting ofthe driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 to the supportingframe 12 is executed in advance before processes of carrying in andinstalling the supporting frame 12.

After the drive unit 26 is carried in and installed in this manner, thecover 25 is fixed onto the roof portion 3. After that, the guide rails 4and 5 are installed inside the hoistway 2, and the car 6 and thecounterweight 7 are carried into the hoistway 2 and assembled. Then, themain rope group 16 is wound around the drive sheave 15 and the pulleys21 through 24, and the car 6 and the counterweight 7 are suspended bythe main rope group 16.

Moreover, the mounting of the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21through 24 to the supporting frame 12 may also be executed inside thehoistway 2 after the processes of carrying in and installing thesupporting frame 12.

In an elevator apparatus of this kind, because the supporting frame 12can be carried into the hoistway 2 through the opening portion 3 a atthe top portion of the hoistway 2, the supporting frame 12 can becarried in in advance during construction of the building main body 1,enabling installation work time to be shortened. In particular, worktime can be further shortened by mounting the driving machine 13 and thepulleys 21 through 24 to the supporting frame 12 in advance as a driveunit 26.

By leaving the supporting frame 12 (or the drive unit 26) and the cover25 with a building contractor, and having the building contractorperform installation (or temporary placement) of the supporting frame 12and the cover 25 at a stage when the hoistway 2 is completed, forexample, an elevator installation contractor can execute remaininginstallation work in any subsequent period, significantly improvingefficiency of the installation work.

Here, position adjustment between the guide rails 4 and 5 installedinside the hoistway 2 and the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21through 24 mounted to the supporting frame 12 can be performed bydisposing equipment position adjusting mechanisms on the supportingframe 12 for adjusting the mounted positions of the hoistway equipmentrelative to a supporting frame main body. In other words, the mountedpositions of the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 on thesupporting frame 12 may be adjusted using the equipment positionadjusting mechanisms after installation of the guide rails 4 and 5.

Frame position adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the mounted positionof the supporting frame 12 relative to the building main body 1 may bealso disposed. Thus, the mounted position of the entire drive unit 26can be adjusted relative to the guide rails 4 and 5 with relativepositional relationships among the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21through 24 maintained without modification.

In addition, prepositioned reference surfaces may also be disposed onthe building main body 1 in advance based on installation positions ofthe guide rails 4 and 5, and positioning surfaces that can be placed incontact with those reference surfaces may be predisposed on thesupporting frame 12. Using this method, positioning between the hoistwayequipment mounted to the supporting frame 12 and the guide rails 4 and 5can be performed simply by placing the positioning surfaces in contactwith the reference surfaces during installation of the supporting frame12.

Rail positioning portions for performing relative positioning betweenthe hoistway equipment mounted to the supporting frame 12 and the guiderails 4 and 5 may also be predisposed on the supporting frame 12.

Thus, examples of methods for relative positioning between the guiderails 4 and 5 and the hoistway equipment include methods in which theguide rails 4 and 5 are installed based on the position of the hoistwayequipment, and methods in which the position of the hoistway equipmentis adjusted based on the position of the guide rails 4 and 5. Whenpositioning of the supporting frame 12 is not performed, the formermethods are effective, and when positioning of the supporting frame 12is performed in advance, the latter methods can be adopted, enabling theefficiency of installation work to be improved.

Next, maintenance inspection methods for hoistway equipment such as thedriving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24, etc., will beexplained. A first method for maintenance inspection work is a methodperformed inside the hoistway 2 from below the supporting frame 12. Inthis case, a worker, for example, may perform maintenance inspectionwork by climbing onto the car 6. If maintenance inspection work on thedriving machine 13 is to be performed from below, it is preferable forthe driving machine 13 to be disposed such that the brake, for which thefrequency of maintenance inspection work is comparatively high, ispositioned on a lower side.

A second method for maintenance inspection work is a method in which thehoistway equipment is made removable relative to the supporting frame 12from below the supporting frame 12, and maintenance inspection work isperformed inside the hoistway 2 after the hoistway equipment is removedfrom the supporting frame 12. In this second method, maintenanceinspection work can be performed in a comfortable position. The hoistwayequipment may also be made displaceable downward to a position enablingmaintenance inspection without being completely removed from thesupporting frame 12.

In addition, a third method for maintenance inspection work is a methodin which the cover 25 is removed, and maintenance inspection work on thehoistway equipment is performed from above the roof portion 3 throughthe opening portion 3 a. The third method is also possible by disposingan openable and closable maintenance access hatchway on the cover 25. Ifmaintenance inspection work on the driving machine 13 is to be performedfrom above, it is preferable for the driving machine 13 to be disposedsuch that the brake is positioned on an upper side.

Embodiment 2

Next, FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus accordingto Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, a supportingframe 31 functioning as a cover body is disposed in an upper portion ofa hoistway 2. The supporting frame 31 is supported by a roof portion 3.

The supporting frame 31 has: a supporting frame main body 32 forsupporting a driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24; a coverportion 33 for closing an opening portion 3 a; and a linking portion 34for linking the supporting frame main body 32 and the cover portion 33.

A seal portion 33 a for preventing penetration of water into the openingportion 3 a, a roof fixing portion 33 b for fixing the supporting frame31 to the roof portion 3, and suspending hooks (gripping portions) 33 cto which a lifting apparatus (such as a crane apparatus, for example)for lifting the supporting frame 31 can be coupled are disposed on thecover portion 33. The cover portion 33 can also be constituted by atransparent material.

The driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 are unitized bybeing mounted to the shared supporting frame 31. Specifically, a driveunit 35 according to Embodiment 2 includes the supporting frame 31, thedriving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24. Furthermore, in thisexample, the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 aregenerally disposed entirely inside the opening portion 3 a. The rest ofthe configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 31 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened. Furthermore, by using asupporting frame 31 including a cover portion 33, the opening portion 3a can be closed simultaneously simply by installing the supporting frame31, enabling the efficiency of installation work to be further improved.

Embodiment 3

Next, FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus accordingto Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, a supportingframe 36 functioning as a cover body is disposed in an upper portion ofa hoistway 2. The supporting frame 36 is supported by a roof portion 3.

The supporting frame 36 has: a supporting frame main body 37 forsupporting a driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24; a flat coverportion 33 for covering an opening portion 3 a; and a linking portion 39for linking the supporting frame main body 37 and the cover portion 38.

The driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 are unitized bybeing mounted to the shared supporting frame 36. Specifically, a driveunit 40 according to Embodiment 3 includes the supporting frame 36, thedriving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24. Furthermore, in thisexample, the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 aregenerally disposed entirely inside the opening portion 3 a.

An upper surface of the roof portion 3 is covered by a rooftopwaterproofing layer 41. The rooftop waterproofing layer 41 isconstituted by a resin, for example. The rooftop waterproofing layer 41is also applied continuously over the cover portion 38.

The supporting frame 36 is disposed in a predetermined position duringconstruction of the building before applying the rooftop waterproofinglayer 41.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 36 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened. Furthermore, since the rooftopwaterproofing layer 41 is disposed over the supporting frame 36, it isnot necessary to provide the supporting frame 36 with a waterproofingfunction, enabling the construction of the supporting frame 36 to besimplified.

Moreover, since the cover portion 38 does not need to have awaterproofing function, and needs only to cover the opening portion 3 a,the cover portion 38 may also have a frame-shaped configuration or aconfiguration combining a frame and a net, for example. Thus, thesupporting frame 36 can be made lightweight.

If waterproofing of the opening portion 3 a is required beforeapplication of the rooftop waterproofing layer 41, a separatewaterproofing sheet can also be placed over the supporting frame 36temporarily.

In addition, the supporting frame 36 may also be provided with awaterproofing function to give the opening portion 3 a a doublewaterproofing construction.

Embodiment 4

Next, FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus accordingto Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In Embodiment 4, a supportingframe 42 for supporting a driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24is supported by and fixed to structural beams 11. A drive unit 43according to Embodiment 4 includes the supporting frame 42, the drivingmachine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24.

A flat cover 44 covering an opening portion 3 a is disposed on a roofportion 3. The cover 44 is configured as a separate part from the driveunit 43, and placed on the roof portion 3. An upper surface of the roofportion 3 is covered by a rooftop waterproofing layer 41. The rooftopwaterproofing layer 41 is also applied continuously over the cover 44.The rest of the configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 3.

The supporting frame 42 is disposed on the structural beams 11 duringconstruction of the building before applying the rooftop waterproofinglayer 41. The cover 44 may be disposed simultaneously duringinstallation of the supporting frame 42, or may also be disposed whenthe rooftop waterproofing layer 41 is applied.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 42 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened. Because the supporting frame 42is supported on the structural beams 11, loads from the car 6, thecounterweight 7, and the drive unit 43 do not act on the cover 44,enabling the construction of the cover 44 to be simplified.

Moreover, since the cover 44 does not need to have a waterproofingfunction, and needs only to cover the opening portion 3 a, the cover 44may also have a frame-shaped configuration or a configuration combininga frame and a net, for example.

The cover 44 may also be eliminated and the opening portion 3 a closedusing only the rooftop waterproofing layer 41. In other words, therooftop waterproofing layer 41 may also serve as a cover.

Embodiment 5

Next, FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing an elevator apparatus accordingto Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the figure, a framesupporting portion (stepped portion) 3 b is disposed on an edge portionof an opening portion 3 a in a roof portion 3. A prepositioned referencesurface 3 c is disposed on the frame supporting portion 3 b.

A supporting frame 45 for supporting a driving machine 13 and pulleys 21through 24 is disposed in a top portion of a hoistway 2. A roof engagingportion (roof mounting portion) 45 a engaging with the frame supportingportion 3 b is disposed on the supporting frame 45. A positioningsurface 45 b placed in contact with the reference surfaces 3 c isdisposed on the roof engaging portion 45 a.

Positioning of the supporting frame 45 in a depth direction of thehoistway 2 (left-to-right in FIG. 7) is performed by placing thepositioning surface 45 b in contact in the reference surface 3 c.Although not shown, a reference surface and a positioning surface forperforming positioning of the supporting frame 45 in a directionparallel to a width direction of a car 6 are disposed on the framesupporting portion 3 b and the roof engaging portion 45 a, respectively.

A drive unit 46 according to Embodiment 5 includes the supporting frame45, the driving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24. A cover 47for closing the opening portion 3 a is fixed onto the roof portion 3.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 45 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened.

The supporting frame 45 can be positioned easily by placing thepositioning surface 45 b in contact with the reference surface 3 cdisposed on the building main body 1, enabling the efficiency ofinstallation work to be improved.

Embodiment 6

Next, FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the figure, aprotruding portion 3 d serving as both a waterproofing portion and aframe mounting portion is disposed on a roof portion 3. The protrudingportion 3 d is disposed so as to surround a perimeter of an openingportion 3 a continuously.

A supporting frame 48 functioning as a cover body is disposed in anupper portion of a hoistway 2. The supporting frame 48 is supported bythe roof portion 3.

The supporting frame 48 has: a supporting frame main body 49 forsupporting a driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24; a coverportion 50 for closing the opening portion 3 a; and a linking portion 51for linking the supporting frame main body 49 and the cover portion 50.

An interfitting portion 50 a that joins together with or faces a sidesurface of the protruding portion 3 d on an opposite side from theopening portion 3 a is disposed on the cover portion 50. Positioning ofthe supporting frame 49 can also be performed using the side surface ofthe protruding portion 3 d as a reference surface and an inner surfaceof the interfitting portion 50 as a positioning surface.

The driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 are unitized bybeing mounted to the shared supporting frame 48. Specifically, a driveunit 52 according to Embodiment 6 includes the supporting frame 48, thedriving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24. Furthermore, in thisexample, the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 aregenerally disposed entirely inside the opening portion 3 a.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 48 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened. Furthermore, water can beprevented from penetrating into the opening portion 3 a by a simpleconstruction.

Embodiment 7

Next, FIG. 9 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In this example, aninclination is disposed on an upper surface of a roof portion 3.Specifically, the upper surface of the roof portion 3 inclines gently soas to become lower as it gets further away from a perimeter of anopening portion 3 a. The rest of the configuration is similar to that ofEmbodiment 6.

By disposing an inclination on the upper surface of the roof portion 3in this manner, water can be more reliably prevented from penetratinginto the opening portion 3 a.

Embodiment 8

Next, FIG. 10 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is anenlargement showing part of FIG. 10. In the figures, a supporting frame53 functioning as a cover body is disposed in an upper portion of ahoistway 2. The supporting frame 53 is supported by a roof portion 3.

The supporting frame 53 has: a cover portion 54 fixed onto the roofportion 3; a plurality of supporting arms 55 fixed to a lower portion ofthe cover portion 54; and a supporting frame main body 56 supported bythe supporting arms 55. A driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24are supported by the supporting frame main body 56.

A first buffering member 57 is interposed between the supporting arms 55and the supporting frame main body 56. A second buffering member 58 isinterposed between the supporting arms 55 and an inner surface of theopening portion 3 a (hoistway wall). The first and second bufferingmembers 57 and 58 are constituted by a rubber plate, for example.

A plurality of legs 59 are fixed to lower end portions of the supportingarms 55. If the supporting frame 53 with the driving machine 13 and thepulleys 21 through 24 mounted thereto is placed on a horizontal surface,the pulleys 21 through 23 are prevented from contacting the horizontalsurface by the legs 59.

A screw-threaded aperture 56 a is disposed in the supporting frame mainbody 56, and a position adjusting screw 60 is screwed into thisscrew-threaded aperture 56 a. Consequently, the supporting frame mainbody 56 can be displaced relative to the building main body 1 in a depthdirection of the hoistway 2 by adjusting the position of the positionadjusting screw 60. Thus, the position of the driving machine 13 and thepulleys 21 through 24 relative to the building main body 1 can beadjusted. An equipment position adjusting mechanism according toEmbodiment 8 includes the screw-threaded aperture 56 a and the positionadjusting screw 60.

A drive unit 61 according to Embodiment 8 includes the supporting frame53, the driving machine 13, and the pulleys 21 through 24.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 53 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened.

Because the first buffering member 57 is disposed between the supportingarms 55 and the supporting frame main body 56, propagation of vibrationsfrom the driving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 to thebuilding main body 1 can be suppressed. Because the second bufferingmember 58 is disposed between the supporting arms 55 and the hoistwaywall, vibrations propagating to the building main body 1 can be reducedfurther.

In addition, because the legs 59 are disposed on the supporting frame53, the drive unit 61 can be loaded onto a truck and transported, orplaced at a factory or an installation site, etc., in an assembledstate, enabling work efficiency to be improved. Damage to equipmentcontained in the drive unit 61 can also be prevented.

Because the position adjusting screw 60 is provided, the position of thedriving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 relative to thebuilding main body 1 can be adjusted easily.

Moreover, buffering members may also be disposed between the supportingframe 53 and the driving machine 13, the pulleys 21 through 24, etc.

In Embodiment 8, only position adjustment of the equipment in a depthdirection of the hoistway 2 is shown, but position adjustment of theequipment in a direction parallel to a direction of frontage of a carmay also be performed using a similar equipment position adjustingmechanism.

Embodiment 9

Next, FIG. 12 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. A supporting frame62 is supported on structural beams 11 with a buffering member 63interposed. A control apparatus (control board) 64 functioning ashoistway equipment is mounted to the supporting frame 62 in addition toa driving machine 13 and pulleys 21 through 24. The driving machine 13is controlled by the control apparatus 64. Specifically, raising andlowering of a car 6 and a counterweight 7 are controlled by the controlapparatus 64. It is possible to inspect and maintain the controlapparatus 64 from inside a hoistway 2.

A cover 65 for closing an opening portion 3 a is disposed on a roofportion 3. A plurality of air vents 65 a functioning as a cooling meansare disposed on the cover 65. A plurality of hood portions 65 b forpreventing penetration of rain water into the air vents 65 a are alsodisposed on the cover 65. A ventilation channel 66 is ensured betweenthe cover 65 and the supporting frame 62.

A drive unit 67 according to Embodiment 9 includes the supporting frame62, the driving machine 13, the pulleys 21 through 24, and the controlapparatus 64.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 62 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened.

Because the buffering member 63 is interposed between the supportingframe 62 and the structural beams 11, vibrations propagating from thedriving machine 13 and the pulleys 21 through 24 to the building mainbody 1 can be reduced.

In addition, because the control apparatus 64 is mounted to thesupporting frame 62, space inside the hoistway 2 can be used moreeffectively.

Because the ventilation channel 66 is ensured between the cover 65 andthe supporting frame 62, heat from the control apparatus 64, the drivingmachine 13, etc., can be discharged outside the hoistway 2 efficiently.

Embodiment 10

Next, FIG. 13 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 10 of the present invention. In the figure, asupporting frame 68 functioning as a cover body is disposed in an upperportion of a hoistway 2. The supporting frame 68 is supported by a roofportion 3.

The supporting frame 68 has: a cover portion 69 fixed onto the roofportion 3; and a supporting frame main body 70 fixed to a lower portionof the cover portion 69. A driving machine 13, pulleys 21 through 24,and a control apparatus 64 are supported by the supporting frame mainbody 70.

A ventilation channel is formed inside the supporting frame main body70. The control apparatus 64 is disposed further upstream in theventilation channel than the driving machine 13. A fan 72 functioning asa cooling means for introducing air from inside the hoistway 2 into thesupporting frame main body 70 is connected to the supporting frame mainbody 70 by means of a duct 73.

An air outlet 74 is disposed on the cover portion 69 to discharge airthat has passed through the supporting frame main body 70 outside thehoistway 2. A drive unit 75 according to Embodiment 10 includes thesupporting frame 68, the driving machine 13, the pulleys 21 through 24,and the control apparatus 64.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 68 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened.

Because the ventilation channel is disposed inside the supporting framemain body 70 and air is introduced into the ventilation channel by thefan 72, the control apparatus 64, the driving machine 13, etc., can becooled efficiently.

In addition, because the air outlet 74 is disposed on the cover portion69, heat from the control apparatus 64, the driving machine 13, etc.,can be discharged outside the hoistway 2 efficiently.

Moreover, the fan 72 may also be disposed on the supporting frame mainbody 70 directly without using the duct 73.

A fan may also be disposed on a cover portion to introduce air fromoutside the hoistway into the supporting frame main body.

In addition, a fan may also be disposed on the air outlet.

The cooling means is not limited to fans, and various kinds of coolingmeans other than fans may also be disposed on a supporting frame.

Embodiment 11

Next, FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing part of an elevator apparatusaccording to Embodiment 11 of the present invention. In the figure, asupporting frame 76 functioning as a cover body is disposed in an upperportion of a hoistway 2. The supporting frame 76 is supported by a roofportion 3.

The supporting frame 76 has: a cover portion 77 fixed onto the roofportion 3; and a supporting frame main body 78 fixed to a lower portionof the cover portion 77. A driving machine 13, pulleys 21 through 24,and a control apparatus 64 are supported by the supporting frame mainbody 78. A drive unit 80 according to Embodiment 11 includes thesupporting frame 76, the driving machine 13, the pulleys 21 through 24,and the control apparatus 64.

A first maintenance access hatchway 77 a for inspecting and maintainingthe driving machine 13 and a second maintenance access hatchway 77 b forinspecting and maintaining the control apparatus 64 are disposed on thecover portion 77. First and second maintenance access doors 79 and 80for opening and closing the first and second maintenance accesshatchways 77 a and 77 b are also disposed on the cover portion 77.

The driving machine 13 and the control apparatus 64 are disposed so asto enable maintenance inspections from above the hoistway 2 through themaintenance access hatchways 77 a and 77 b. The driving machine 13 inparticular is disposed such that a driving machine main body 14 facesthe first maintenance access hatchway 77 a, in other words, such that adrive sheave 15 is below.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 76 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened.

Because the maintenance access hatchways 77 a and 77 b are disposed onthe cover portion 77, maintenance inspection work on the driving machine13 and the control apparatus 64 can easily be performed from above theroof portion 3.

Embodiment 12

Next, FIG. 15 is a plan showing internal portions of a hoistway of anelevator apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention,FIG. 16 is a side elevation showing the elevator apparatus in FIG. 15,and FIG. 17 is a plan showing a state partway through installation ofthe elevator apparatus in FIG. 15.

The roping method of the elevator apparatus according to Embodiment 1 isconfigured into a two-to-one (2:1) roping method.

In the figures, a car return sheave 81 and a counterweight return sheave82 are mounted to a supporting frame 12. A car rope fastener portion 83and a counterweight rope fastener portion 84 are also disposed on thesupporting frame 12. A drive unit 89 according to Embodiment 12 includesthe supporting frame 12, the driving machine 13, and the return sheaves81 and 82.

First and second car suspension sheaves 85 and 86 are disposed on alower portion of a car 6. A counterweight suspension sheave 87 isdisposed on an upper portion of a counterweight 7.

The car 6 and the counterweight 7 are suspended by a plurality of mainropes 88 (only one is shown in the figures). The main ropes 88 have:first end portions connected to the car rope fastener portion 83; andsecond end portions connected to the counterweight rope fastener portion84.

The main ropes 88 are wound from the first end portions sequentiallyaround the first car suspension sheave 85, the second car suspensionsheave 86, the car return sheave 81, a drive sheave 15, thecounterweight return sheave 82, and the counterweight suspension sheave87.

The first and second car suspension sheaves 85 and 86 a redisposed suchthat the main ropes 88 extending between the first and second carsuspension sheaves 85 and 86 pass through a center of gravity C of thecar 6 when viewed from above. In other words, the car 6 is suspendedsubstantially at its center of gravity. A control apparatus 64 isdisposed between a hoistway wall and the car 6 when viewed from above.

Using an elevator apparatus of this kind, the supporting frame 12 canalso be installed in a predetermined position in advance, enablinginstallation work time to be shortened. In other words, the presentinvention can be applied to elevator apparatuses using any ropingmethod.

For example, the elevator apparatuses according to Embodiments 2 through11 may also be configured using a two-to-one (2:1) roping method.

Moreover, the width dimension and the depth dimension of the openingportion may also be smaller than the width dimension and the depthdimension of the hoistway. In other words, the aperture surface area ofthe opening portion may also be smaller than the horizontalcross-sectional area of the hoistway depending on the size of thesupporting frame.

In the above examples, thin hoisting machines are used, but cylindricalhoisting machines in which an axial dimension is longer than an outsidediameter dimension of the entire apparatus may also be used. In thatcase, it is preferable for the hoisting machine to be arranged such thatits shaft axis is horizontal.

In addition, in the above examples, driving machines, pulleys, andcontrol apparatuses are shown as examples of hoistway equipment, butother hoistway equipment such as speed governors, for example, may alsobe mounted to a supporting frame.

In the above examples, elevator apparatuses in which a driving machineis disposed in an upper portion of a hoistway are shown, but the presentinvention can also be applied to elevator apparatuses in which a drivingmachine is disposed in a lower portion of a hoistway. In that case,return sheaves constituting hoistway equipment may be mounted to thesupporting frame.

In the above examples, the supporting frame is supported by a roofportion or structural beams, but it may also be supported by guiderails. In that case, the supporting frame can be temporarily supportedby the roof portion, structural beams, etc., before installation of theguide rails, and supported by the guide rails after installation of theguide rails.

In addition, the present invention can also be applied to elevatorapparatuses in which an intermediate floor of the building is thehighest floor stopped at. In that case, the highest service floor can beconsidered to be a building main body, an opening portion communicatingwith the hoistway can be disposed on a roof portion of the highestservice floor, and the supporting frame can be carried in through theopening portion before construction of floors above the highest servicefloor is completed.

In the above examples, traction elevator apparatuses are shown, but thepresent invention can also be applied to other types of elevatorapparatuses (such as drum elevators, linear motor elevators, etc., forexample) provided that the elevator apparatus has hoistway equipmentthat is disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway.

The present invention can also be applied to multi-deck elevators,multi-car elevators, etc.

1. An elevator apparatus drive unit comprising: a cover body disposed onan opening portion of a top portion of a hoistway; and a driving machinehaving a drive sheave around which is wound a main rope for suspending acar and a counterweight, and a driving machine main body for rotatingthe drive sheave, the driving machine being supported by the cover body.2. An elevator apparatus comprising: a cover body disposed on an openingportion of a top portion of a hoistway; a driving machine having adriving machine main body, and a drive sheave rotated by the drivingmachine main body, the driving machine being supported by the coverbody; a main rope wound around the drive sheave; and a car and acounterweight suspended inside the hoistway by the main rope and raisedand lowered by a driving force from the driving machine.
 3. An elevatorapparatus comprising: a hoisted body raised and lowered inside ahoistway that includes an opening portion disposed on a roof portion ofa building main body; a supporting frame disposed in an upper portion ofthe hoistway; and hoistway equipment disposed on the supporting frame.4. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hoistwayequipment includes a driving machine for raising and lowering thehoisted body.
 5. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe hoistway equipment includes a rotatable pulley around which is wounda main rope for suspending the hoisted body inside the hoistway.
 6. Theelevator apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hoistway equipmentincludes a control apparatus for controlling raising and lowering of thehoisted body.
 7. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3, furthercomprising a cover disposed on the roof portion so as to cover theopening portion.
 8. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3, whereina cover portion for covering the opening portion is included on thesupporting frame.
 9. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3,wherein a roof fixing portion for fixing the supporting frame to theroof portion is disposed on the supporting frame.
 10. The elevatorapparatus according to claim 3, wherein a beam fixing portion for fixingthe supporting frame to a structural beam fixed to an upper portion ofthe building main body is disposed on the supporting frame.
 11. Theelevator apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the supporting framehas a supporting frame main body, and an equipment position adjustingmechanism for adjusting a mounted position of the hoistway equipmentrelative to the supporting frame main body.
 12. The elevator apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein a positioning surface that can be placedin contact with a reference surface disposed on the building main bodyis disposed on the supporting frame.
 13. The elevator apparatusaccording to claim 3, further comprising a frame position adjustingmechanism for adjusting a mounted position of the supporting framerelative to the building main body.
 14. The elevator apparatus accordingto claim 3, further comprising a guide rail installed inside thehoistway, the guide rail guiding raising and lowering of the hoistedbody, a rail positioning portion for performing relative positioningbetween the hoistway equipment and the guide rail being disposed on thesupporting frame.
 15. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the hoistway equipment is removable relative to the supportingframe from below the supporting frame.
 16. The elevator apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein a suspending hook to which a liftingapparatus for lifting the supporting frame can be coupled is disposed onthe supporting frame.
 17. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3,wherein a leg is disposed on the supporting frame so as to prevent thehoistway equipment from contacting a horizontal surface when thesupporting frame mounted with the hoistway equipment is placed on thehorizontal surface.
 18. The elevator apparatus according to claim 3,wherein at least a portion of the supporting frame and the hoistwayequipment is disposed inside the opening portion.
 19. An elevatorapparatus installation method for an elevator apparatus comprising ahoisted body raised and lowered inside a hoistway disposed in or on abuilding main body, a supporting frame disposed in an upper portion ofthe hoistway, and hoistway equipment disposed on the supporting frame,the elevator apparatus installation method including: a carrying-in andinstalling process in which the supporting frame is carried inside thehoistway through an opening portion disposed at a top portion of thehoistway from above the opening portion and installed in an upperportion inside the hoistway; and an equipment mounting process in whichthe hoistway equipment is mounted to the supporting frame.
 20. Theelevator apparatus installation method according to claim 19, whereinthe equipment mounting process is executed before the carrying-in andinstalling process.
 21. The elevator apparatus installation methodaccording to claim 19, wherein the equipment mounting process isexecuted after the carrying-in and installing process.
 22. The elevatorapparatus installation method according to claim 19, further including aprocess in which a guide rail for guiding raising and lowering of thehoisted body is installed inside the hoistway based on a position of thehoistway equipment.
 23. The elevator apparatus installation methodaccording to claim 19, further including: a process in which a guiderail for guiding raising and lowering of the hoisted body is installedinside the hoistway; and a process in which a position of the hoistwayequipment is adjusted based on a position of the guide rail.
 24. Anelevator apparatus maintenance inspection method for an elevatorapparatus comprising a hoisted body raised and lowered inside a hoistwaythat includes an opening portion disposed on a roof portion of abuilding main body, a supporting frame disposed in an upper portion ofthe hoistway, and hoistway equipment disposed on the supporting frame,the elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method including: aprocess in which maintenance inspection work on the hoistway equipmentis performed inside the hoistway from below the supporting frame.
 25. Anelevator apparatus maintenance inspection method for an elevatorapparatus comprising a hoisted body raised and lowered inside a hoistwaythat includes an opening portion disposed on a roof portion of abuilding main body, a supporting frame disposed in an upper portion ofthe hoistway, and hoistway equipment disposed on the supporting frame,the elevator apparatus maintenance inspection method including: aprocess in which the hoistway equipment is removed from the supportingframe inside the hoistway; and a process in which maintenance inspectionwork is performed on the hoistway equipment.
 26. An elevator apparatusmaintenance inspection method for an elevator apparatus comprising ahoisted body raised and lowered inside a hoistway that includes anopening portion disposed on a roof portion of a building main body, asupporting frame disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway, andhoistway equipment disposed on the supporting frame, the elevatorapparatus maintenance inspection method including: a process in whichmaintenance inspection work on the hoistway equipment is performed fromabove the roof portion through the opening portion.